SHARON McNEIL, who is understood to have had multiple sclerosis and used a wheelchair, dies after fire tore through her ground-floor flat.

A DISABLED woman died in a fire at her flat yesterday – just days before she was due to move.

Firefighters found the body of the woman, named by neighours as Sharon McNeil, 42, in the ground-floor flat.

Fire tore through the flat early in the morning and emergency services were called at 6.10am.

The blaze started in the kitchen, firefighters said.

Sharon, who is understood to have had multiple sclerosis and used a wheelchair, was due to move from the flat in Riddrie, Glasgow, next week.

She was moving to Govan, where she had family, and had invited locals to a farewell party on Saturday.

Neighbour Robert McKinlay, 76, a retired boilermaker, said her death was “devastating news”.

He added: “I woke up about 6am to the sound of my fire alarm. At first, I thought the fire was in my flat because the smoke was belching out from my kitchen.

“When I realised it was coming from downstairs, I ran down and started banging on the door but minutes later, the fire brigade arrived and kicked it in. I’ve never seen smoke like it in my life.

“Sharon was in a wheelchair. She was paraplegic. I would often speak to her. She was a lovely girl, very friendly. She was due to move back to Govan and had invited me to the going away party she had organised.

“She had mentioned she was feeling lonely at night and was looking forward to company at the centre she was moving to. Her carer used to stay over but I don’t think that was the case any more.

“This is a terrible loss.”

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s so sad. I can’t believe it. I woke up at 5am and I just keep thinking if only I had looked out the window, I might have seen something.”

Another man added: “I couldn’t believe it when I looked outside and saw the blue flashing lights and smoke.

“I kept praying she was OK and had been taken out the back door but at midday, I saw the private ambulance arrive. It’s just tragic.”